Posted: 10/2/2025 11:24:42 AM EDT
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The late Jim Cirillo was a legendary New York Police Department officer. He was most famous for being a founding member of the NYPD Stakeout Squad. The Stakeout Squad was formed in 1968 to counter the problem of armed retail robbers who were brutalizing and murdering small retail merchants in New York City. It was disbanded in 1973 because it was too efficient at neutralizing armed robbers with bullets. Squad members killed at least 41 armed robbers during robberies The experience he gained in gunfighting lead Cirillo to develop his own shooting drill. This is a description of the drill from Grok: Cirillo's 1-2-3-6 Drill Overview: Cirillo's 1-2-3-6 Drill is a firearms training exercise developed by Jim Cirillo, a legendary NYPD Stakeout Squad member and firearms instructor known for his real-world gunfighting experience in over 200 armed confrontations. The drill emphasizes speed, accuracy, and adaptability under stress, reflecting the high-pressure scenarios of the Stakeout Squad's ambushes on armed robbers during the late 1960s to early 1970s. It is designed to train shooters to engage multiple targets efficiently, manage recoil, and maintain situational awareness—skills critical to surviving close-quarters shootouts. Drill Structure: •Setup: Three silhouette targets (e.g., IPSC or IDPA targets) are placed at varying distances, typically 3, 5, and 7 yards, to simulate realistic urban engagement ranges. •Ammunition: Uses a standard semi-auto pistol or revolver, ideally with 6 rounds loaded (reflecting Cirillo’s use of revolvers like the Smith & Wesson Model 19). •Execution: 1.One Shot (First Target): From a ready position (e.g., low ready or holster), draw and fire one shot at the first target (closest, ~3 yards). 2.Two Shots (Second Target): Transition to the second target (~5 yards) and fire two shots. 3.Three Shots (Third Target): Transition to the third target (~7 yards) and fire three shots. 4.Total: Six shots total (1 + 2 + 3 = 6), hence the "1-2-3-6" name. •Scoring: Shots must hit the center-mass or A-zone (e.g., torso or head) to count. Speed is critical, with a par time of around 4–6 seconds for proficient shooters, depending on skill level. •Key Focus: oSpeed and Accuracy: Balances rapid target transitions with precise shot placement. oRecoil Management: Teaches control during multiple shots, especially the three-shot burst. oTarget Transitions: Trains shooters to shift focus smoothly between targets at different distances. oStress Inoculation: Simulates the chaos of real gunfights, where threats appear unpredictably. Historical Context: •Developed from Cirillo’s Stakeout Squad experiences (1968–1973), where officers faced armed robbers in confined spaces, often requiring rapid, accurate fire against multiple threats. •Cirillo noted that robbers often worked in pairs or groups, necessitating quick target acquisition and prioritization, which the drill replicates. •Unlike static range drills, it mimics dynamic, real-world scenarios where shooters must adjust for distance and movement under time pressure. Training Value: •Practicality: Prepares shooters for defensive or tactical situations by emphasizing fluidity and decision-making. •Adaptability: Can be modified (e.g., adding movement, cover, or reloads) to increase complexity. •Influence: Popularized in modern firearms training through Cirillo’s teachings and writings, notably in Jim Cirillo’s Tales of the Stakeout Squad (2007, expanded 2013) and his contributions to Jeff Cooper’s Gunsite Academy. Example Application: •Modern Use: Adopted by law enforcement, competitive shooters, and concealed-carry practitioners. Often practiced at ranges with timers to track progress. •Variations: Some trainers add a reload after the sixth shot or incorporate lateral movement to simulate dodging threats. For a visual, imagine a shooter at a range facing three silhouettes, drawing from a holster, and firing in a controlled burst: one shot to the left target, two to the middle, three to the right—all while maintaining tight shot groups in under 6 seconds. It’s a staple for those seeking to hone real-world defensive skills rooted in Cirillo’s high-stakes NYPD experience. For detailed instruction, check resources like the American Handgunner archives or Paul Kirchner’s book on Cirillo. I'm seeing some other versions of the drill from later instructors, but honestly Cirillo's looks the most grounded in reality. Most gunfights are at 3-to-7 yards. |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: Old school for sure. That guy was very good at his job. Now we have 15+ rounds on tap usually, but I still go with nobody gets seconds till all are served. There's also another school of thought, by some who have a lot of BTDT, and that is to stay on one target until you are certain you will not have to deal with them again. |
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His books are great, especially "Tales of the Stakeout Squad." I saw him many years ago at a regional championship, maybe the nationals. I heard him before I saw him. He was a cusser. He knew more fine swearing words than anyone I'd seen before. 
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 STAKE OUT UNIT  Jim Cirillo's 1-2-3-6 Drill |
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| The need to bring back stakeout squads. I asked ChatGPT about them and it gave me some squirrely answers (pretending cops died, minimizing the impact on violent crime), but eventually admitted the truth. Stakeout squads work BIG TIME. And far from hurting black and latino communities, they protect far more innocent black and latinos than the current policy of letting violent criminals run loose in those communities. |
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Originally Posted By gtsteve03: I have never been on a two-way range, but wouldn't 2-2-2 be a little more certain? I'd hate to rely on a single shot stopping the closest attacker. Here is SGM Kyle Lamb explaining why:  VTAC 1-5 Rifle Drill |
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Originally Posted By R_S: The need to bring back stakeout squads. I asked ChatGPT about them and it gave me some squirrely answers (pretending cops died, minimizing the impact on violent crime), but eventually admitted the truth. Stakeout squads work BIG TIME. And far from hurting black and latino communities, they protect far more innocent black and latinos than the current policy of letting violent criminals run loose in those communities. The reason you do this is to save the lives of the innocent. The bad guys chose to walk in to a location and threaten or use deadly force to take money or to prevent someone identifying them. The consequences of their actions should be on them, not the innocent. |
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